Compactor

ABSTRACT

An engine driven vibratory plate compactor fully self-contained and easily maneuverable by the operator. A vibratory plate assembly and an engine assembly are separable units interconnected by shock absorbing means isolating the superstructure of the compactor from vibration effects at the plate, with the maneuvering handle being doubly isolated substantially to reduce operator fatigue. An exciter compartment on the vibratory plate is sealed to exclude dirt and the plate on its upper surface is inherently self-cleaning. Engine components overlie the vibratory plate in a close coupled compact arrangement and include a multi-functional roll-bar type frame. An adjustable throttle control enables variable compaction rates to suit varying work requirements.

United States Patent [1 1 Briggs et a1.

[ Jan. 1,1974

[ COMPACTOR [75] Inventors: Eugene C. Briggs; Lee E. Reichel,

both of Dayton, Ohio [73] Assignee: Koehring Company, Milwaukee,

Wis.

[22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 175,444

[52] U.S. Cl. 404/133 [51] Int. Cl. E01c 19/40 [58] Field of Search 94/48, 49; 404/133, 404/113 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,314,341 4/1967 Schulin 404/113 3,336,848 8/1967 Moir l 94/48 2,746,367 5/1956 Ferguson 94/49 3,052,166 9/1962 Thrun 94/48 3,416,417 12/1968 Mcllrath 94/48 1,955,101 4/1934 Sloan 94/48 2,737,094 3/1956 Jackson 94/48 2,951,427 9/1960 Moir 94/48 Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney-lerome P. Bloom [5 7] ABSTRACT An engine driven vibratory plate compactor fully selfcontained and easily maneuverable by the operator. A vibratory plate assembly and an engine assembly are separable units interconnected by shock absorbing means isolating the superstructure of the compactor from vibration effects at the plate, with the maneuvering handle being doubly isolated substantially to reduce operator fatigue. An exciter compartment on the vibratory plate is sealed to exclude dirt and the plate on its upper surface is inherently self-cleaning. Engine components overlie the vibratory plate in a close coupled compact arrangement and include a multifunctional roll-bar type frame. An adjustable throttle control enables variable compaction rates to suit vary* ing work requirements.

21 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTED H974 3.782.845

SHEET 1 or 2 IIVVENTORS EUGENE C. BRIGGS LEE E. REICHEL A TTORNE Y PATENIEU JAN 1 W sum 2 or 2 2 8 3 4 5 w M w 7 7 6 4 ii 67 w 7 7. W4 A A r 0 o 7 7 t. 5 V 5 4 I 6 $D 0 D 4 1 5 5 M w. z 3 3 7 w m a wa v mu m 6 F. 4

INVENTORS EUGENE c. BRIGGS LEE E. REICHEL A T TORNE Y COMPACTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to contractors equipment, and particularly to compactors guided or maneuvered across ground surface to achieve a desired density and finish to underlying compressible materials such as soil, asphalt, gravel and the like. In such devices, a work contacting plate is vibrated by exciter means and a superstructure rising above the vibratory plate includes a gasoline engine for a powered operation of the exciter means.

Compactors of the prior art have had a relatively short useful life. The environmental conditions in which they work are productive of dust and dirt concentrations which have heretofore been inadequately excluded from the exciter means and other operating parts, resulting in excessive wear. Vibrations transmitted to the super-structure apply weakening stresses to engine components and cause operator fatigue. Means to vary the rate of compaction to suit differing work requirements have not been made conveniently available, and general objectives in a compactor device with respect to simplicity, reliability and ease of operation have been inadequately met.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention provides a compact, low slung device designed for trouble free operation over an extended life span. It has a relatively small number of parts and is otherwise equipped to minimize wear effects. According to a feature of the invention the engine and associated parts are isolated from the vibratory plate by a unique form of shock damping connector, with a maneuvering handle being doubly isolated. Means to exclude dirt are provided, such means being designed, however, to avoid dirt entrapment, allowing the upper floor surface of the vibratory plate to be inherently self-cleaning. A heavy duty type engine features a throttle control whereby the operator can select a rate of compaction to suit the kind of material being worked and the work requirements. The engine seats on an engine base plate from which rises a tubular frame. The latter acts as a guard with respect to the engine yet allows ready access to the engine for service and control functions. A fuel tank and an air cleaner mount above the engine in a novel manner adding to the compact nature of the device and placing the cleaner above areas of heavy dust cooncentration. In an optional feature of the invention, a water supply source and water distribution system are made an integral part of the compactor in order that the surface being worked may be wet immediately in advance of the vibratory plate. I

An object of the invention is to provide a generally new compactor offering operational and reliability advantages as well as freeing the operator from much of the fatigue and handling difficulties normally associated with use of devices of this class.

Another object of the invention is to introduce a concept of protection of operating parts of the compactor tending to exclude dirt and producing a self-cleaning function.

A further object of the invention is to enable the device to be controlled to vary the rate of compaction.

Still another object of the invention is to construct the compactor with separate engine and vibratory plate assemblies so interconnected as to form a unitary device but substantially to isolate the engine component from vibratory effects of the plate.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a superstructure for compactor devices advantageously locating and supporting parts such as the fuel tank and air cleaner.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown a limited number of embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a compactor in accordance with the first illustrated form of the invention; FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the compactor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section, taken substantially along the irregular line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the vibratory and base plate assemblies, operating parts being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a detail view in cross section showing a connector mounting the engine base plate to the vibratory base plate; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective, similar to FIG. 1, showing a modified form of compactor device which includes a water distribution sytem.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, a compactor in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. I to 5 comprises work contacting means in the form of a vibratory base plate 10. The vibratory base is a formed steel member or is otherwise constructed to be a part of rigid, heavy structural characteristics. It is generally rectangular in configuration. Opposite ends are bent upward in a staged manner to define at each end a first inclined surface 1 1 and a second, more sharply inclined surface 12. What may be considered leading and trailing endsof the vibratory plate accordingly are formed to ride easily over thework. Improved climbing and pre-breakup of lump material results, as well as easier maneuvering. Intermediate its turned up ends, the vibratory plate is constructed as a flat planar portion 13 supporting the plate upon the work surface. Side margins of the plate are turned up to a lesser extent than the ends thereof and define relatively shallow lips 14. Sides of the plate, above what may be considered the upwardly facing floor surface thereof, are substantially open.

Resting on the upwardly facing floor surface of the vibratory plate is a generally rectangular tube-like member 15, the ends of which abut the turned up ends 11 and 12 of the plate. By a welding or like process, the tube-like member 15 is secured to the plate 10 and becomes in effect an integral part thereof, the ends of the tube being sealed by the joining process. The member 15 is a housing and defines interiorly thereof a closed exciter compartment. In opposite side walls of the housing are opposing openings 16. Secured to the upper surface of the compartment housing 15 is a series of brackets 17. Outer free ends of the brackets 17 project laterally of and downwardly of the housing 15, the extremities of such ends disposing in an inclined relation to the flat planar portion 13 of the vibratory plate.

The vibratory plate and housing 15 thereon comprise part of a vibratory base plate assembly further including exciter means contained within housing 15. An end cap 18 is adapted to bolt to a side of housing 15 in a position of closure with respect to one of the openings 16. A cylindrical boss 19 on the cap 18 projects into the opening 16, having a relatively close fit therein. A bearing assembly 21 is mounted within to be confined by the boss 19. A through central opening 22 in the cap 18 has an oil seal 23 therein. On the other side of housing 15 is an end cap 24 mounted in to close the other opening 16. End cap 24 is constructed similarly to cap 18 except for omission of the through opening 22. In a boss 25 thereon it mounts a bearing assembly 26. A shaft 27 is transversely disposed within housing 15 and has one end portion mounted in bearing assembly 26. Near its opposite end, shaft 27 is formed with a reduced diameter portion 28 mounted in bearing assembly 21. Beyond its engagement with bearing assembly 21, the shaft 27 projects through cap opening 22 and is further reduced in diameter to define a shaft extension portion 29. Within housing 15, and intermediate its ends, the shaft 27 is eccentrically weighted. In the illustrated instance, the eccentric weighting is accomplished by an integrally formed laterally projecting portion 31 of the shaft but might otherwise be accomplished, as by the mounting of separate individual weights. The shaft 27 is adapted to be rotated and when rotated delivers relatively powerful vibratory impulses to the plate 10, through the housing 15 thereon. Rotating means is illustrated in the form of a pulley 32 fixed to shaft extension 29. A V-belt 33 engages in pulley 42 and acts as a motion transmitting means, as will more clearly appear hereinafter. In the housing 15 is contained lubricant in the form of an oil bath 34. A fill port 35 for the oil is located in an upper wall of the housing 15. In response to rotation of the shaft 27 and weighted portion 31 thereof the oil bath 34 is disturbed, generating a mist lubricating the bearing assemblies 21 and 26. The housing 15 defines a closed compartment, as has been seen. End caps 18 and 24 engage within the housing in a substantially sealed manner, and bearing assembly 21 is sealed by means 23. The exciter compartment, as defined by the housing interior, accordingly is sealed against loss of lubricant. The sealing off of the housing interior is also effective in a reverse sense in that dirt and dust particles from outside the housing are denied access to the exciter compartment.

Disposing in an overlying relation to the vibratory base plate 10, and to the housing 15 thereon, is an engine base plate 36. The base plate 36 is formed from heavy sheet steel or the like and comprises a flat rectangular planar portion 37 which is in a superposed spaced relation to the housing 15 and substantially aligned therewith. Side margins of the plate 36 are bent downward from the plane of portion 37 and depend therefrom as wing-like portions 38 and 39. These dispose at an angle inclined from the plane of portion 37 and achieve an approximately parallel relation to the bent extremities of brackets 17. Spaced locations on the wing-like portions 38 and 39 are interconnected to the brackets 17 by connector devices 41. The several devices 41 position the engine base plate in an elevated spaced relation to the vibratory base assembly and serve a dual function in interconnecting the assemblies which mount thereon and in effectively damping vibrations so that vibratory effects resulting from rotation of the shaft 27 are substantially confined within the vibratory base assembly. The connector devices 41 are alike. Each comprises a cylindrical body 42 made of a solid rubber or rubber-like material to have a limited resilience. Opposite ends of the body 42 are recessed and in such recesses are respective nuts or nut-like members 43 and 44. Members 43 and 44 are aligned with one another and are suitably secured within their respective recesses, as by being integrally united with the body 42 in a molding or like process. Each connector 41, therefore, comprises a resilient body 42 having in tegrated attachment means at its opposite ends in the form of nut-like members 43 and 44.

The bent over extremities of the brackets 17 are apertured and a headed screw fastener 45 is passed therethrough from the underside and turned into threaded engagement with a member 43. A like headed fastener 46 passes through an aperture at each of the described spaced locations on the wing-like portions 38 and 39 and is turned into threaded engagement with a nut-like member 44. The connectors 41 accordingly are effectively clamped between the engine base plate 36 and the housing 15 forming a part of the vibratory base assembly. Engine base plate 36 is relatively firmly secured thereby in the superposed, spaced position illustrated, the resilient connector device 41 permitting, however, limited relative movement between the vibratory base assembly and the engine base plate. A relative approaching motion of the parts is damped by the connectors 41, however, with the rate of damping gradually increasing by reason of the angular disposition of the connectors. Thus, since the brackets 17 and winglike portions 38-39 dispose angularly of the base plates, the connectors 41 dispose in similar fashion and are subjected to shear and compression forces in a relative approaching motion of the base plates.

Another set of resilient connector elements 47, which are or may be identical to the elements 41, is used to mount handle members 48 to opposite sides of the engine base plate 36. Wing-like portion 39 of the engine base plate provides spaced apertured locations to which respective connectors 47 mount, fasteners 49 being inserted from the underside of portion 39 to en gage in a nut-like member in one end of each connector 47. A handle member 48 bridges the opposite ends of the connectors 47 and is apertured for passage of a threaded fastener 51 therethrough to engage in a nutlike member in such opposite end of each connector. A like handle member 48 is mounted in similar fashion, by way of connectors 47 to wing-like portion 38. The handle members 48 are formed, as by a casting or like operation, to provide a recess 52 on its side facing base plate 36.

Connected to the members 48, a U-shaped control handle 53 has a generally inverted attitude with its free ends in embracing relation to the engine base plate. Each such free end is received in a respective recess 52 of a handle member 48, between its resilient mounting connectors 47 and suitably anchored thereto. The handle 53 rises upwardly from and rearwardly of the base plate and its closed end provides a grip portion for the hands of the operator. As will hereinafter more clearly appear, the handle 53 serves as a maneuvering and guiding means for the compactor. It is twice removed from the source of vibration, by reason of the separate sets of connectors 41 and 47 and accordingly is doubly isolated with respect to the vibratory base assembly to minimize shock transmissions to the operator. An engine 54 is mounted on to project vertically upward from the base plate 36. The mounting means includes an engine base 55 and a bracket 56 bolted into the base portion 55 from the underside of plate 36. The engine 54 is a gasoline burning engine of multiple horsepower. It is of a commercially available type and is comprised of components which it will be unnecessary here to consider in detail. A power generating section 57 positively rotates a shaft 58 connected by a centrifugal clutch 59 to a driving pulley 61. The latter overlies the previously mentioned pulley 32 on shaft 27 and has a common connection therewith with the V-belt 33. An opening 62 in the engine base plate 36 allows passage of the V-belt to assume an interconnecting relation between the engine assembly and the vibratory base assembly. A guard member 63 is mounted on the upper surface of plate 36 in a partly surrounding, protective relation to the pulley 61 and the V-belt depending therefrom. A carburetor 64 is mounted to engine section 57 and draws air through a hose connection 65 and liquid fuel through a tube 66, the latter incorporating a filter 67. A throttle means including a pivotal lever 68 controls the rate of burning of the combustible mixture and thereby the speed of operation of the engine. Air reaches hose 65 from the atmosphere by way of an air cleaner 69. Tube 66 draws fuel from a fuel storage tank 71.

The air cleaner and the fuel tank are uniquely mounted in an overhead relation to the engine by means including a formed sheet metal plate 72. The plate 72 has a generally rectangular configuration with turned down ends 73 and 74. Adjacent end 73, the plate has a shelf-like portion 70 to the upper surface of which air cleaner 69 is suitably bolted. A manifold 75 mounted beneath shelf-like portion 70 connects the air cleaner 69 to the hose 65. Beyond shelf-like portion 70 the plate 72 has a curved or upwardly recessed portion 76 terminating in down turned end 74. The configuration of portion 76 is such as substantially to conform to the shape of fuel tank 71, the latter nesting within the curved portion 76 on the underside of plate 7 2. A series of straps 77 is in a mutually surrounding relation to curved plate portion 76 and to the tank 71 and fix the tank in the nested position illustrated. The plate 72 has apertures 78 providing for passage of the straps 77 therethrough and the straps have joints 79 by which they may be tightened and loosened.

An engine guard 81 rises from the engine base plate 36 in a protective relation to engine components while permitting comparatively easy access thereto. The guard 81 serves also as a means to support the mounting plate 72. It is comprised of bent tubular members 82 and 83 of inverted generally U-shape having their ends anchored substantially at the corners of the flat planar portion 37 of plate 36 to dispose thereby in parallel relation and to rise perpendicular to opposite side edges of this plate. At their upper closed ends, tubular members 82 and 83 are transversely interconnected by a pair of longitudinally spaced similarly configured parallel members 84 and 85 and these in turn have their uppermost central portions interconnected by a transverse tubular portion 86 which extends fore and aft of the base plates. The latter is bent upward intermediate its ends at a point substantially to coincide with the center of gravity of the compactor unit to provide a point of attachment for a crane, hook or the like. The mounting plate 72 has its turned down ends 73 and 74 welded or otherwise secured to tubular guard portions 84 and 85.

The engine is started using a pull rope means 87 forming a part of a rewind starter 88 with backup rope sheave. When the engine has been started its further operation is under control of the throttle lever 68. The latter is adapted for remote adjustment, a Bowden wire cable 89 being attached at one end thereto and extending upward to the mounting plate 72 where it passes through an aperture in the shelf-like portion 70. Above plate 72, the cable 89 attaches to a lever 91 pivotally mounted to an isolator stud 92 secured to the mounting bracket. An arm 93 of the lever 91 extends laterally in an overlying relation to the bracket 72 and is adapted for convenient manipulation by an operator to effect extending and retracting motions of the cable whereby correspondingly to vary the setting of throttle lever 68.

The control arm 93 is settable to an idle position at which time engine 54 operates at minimum speed and is ineffective to actuate centrifugal clutch 59 to rotate pulley wheel 61. Operation of the engine at this time accordingly is without effect on the vibratory base assembly, shaft 27 remaining inactive. As the throttle control arm 93 is advanced from idle position, however, engine speed increases and centrifugal clutch 59 automatically engages with the result that a driving connection is established from the engine to shaft 27. The vibratory shaft accordingly rotates in its exciter compartment delivering vibratory impulses to the com pactor base plate 10 at a rate bearing a direct relation to the speed of operation of the engine. The setting of the throttle control arm accordingly determines the compaction force. Advancing of "the throttle provides a high compaction force. Retraction of the throttle provides a lesser compaction force until an idle position is reached at which time compaction is interrupted. The multi force control lever accordingly permits the unit to be operated at a speed best suited for the material being worked and the work requirements. The compactor acts upon compressible materials and as the material beneath the machine becomes firm the machine walks or moves of its own momentum in response to the generation and application of the vibratory impulses. The operator, grasping handle 53 can guide the unit and otherwise maneuver it in operation to achieve the desired ends in the most expeditious manner. A shorting button 94 is mounted on the engine and is depressible to stop engine operation.

The vibratory means 31 is totally enclosed within the housing 15. Dirt and dust particles are excluded therefrom and from the bearings 21 and 26 by the positive seal afforded by end caps 18 and 24 and associated parts. Further, the wing-like portions 38 and 39 of the engine base project downwardly in a protective relation to side margins of the vibratory housing 15. The housing, and in particular the pulley 32 and V-belt 33, are shielded from impact by stones and heavy particles. Dirt clods, which might tend to accumulate around the exciter compartment housing tend to be excluded by the wing-like portions. According to a feature of this aspect of the invention, however, the engine base is not in a fully enclosing relation to the exciter compartment housing. Dirt particles which find their way on to the upwardly facing floor surface of the vibratory base and which might tend to accumulate around the housing have a ready escape route around the peripheral edges of the engine base plate. The vibratory base plate is in effect self-cleaning in that its vibratory action is utilized to dislodge dirt particles and expel them outwardly over the marginal lips 14 or over the upturned ends 12. The margins of the vibratory base plate and marginal edges of the engine base plate cooperate in defining an open passage 95 which extends on all four sides of the defined assembly.

The connector devices 41 act as shock insulators between the vibratory base assembly and the engine assembly. In effectively isolating and confining the vibratory impulses to the vibratory base assembly the imposition of stresses in the engine assembly is avoided prolonging the useful life of engine components. Handle means 53 is twice removed, as noted, from the source of vibration, enabling the operator to guide and maneuver the unit without the discomfort and fatigue normally associated with operation of vibrating tools. The handle 53 has been described as being suitably anchored to the members 48. The handle may be welded to such members in a fixed position or, as in the illustrated instance, be pivotally connected thereto for reversibility. As seen in FIG. 2, the ends of the handle 53 are each provided with a laterally projecting pin 96 received in a corresponding aperture in a respective handle member 48. The handle 53 may be swung to different arcuate positions as defined by opposite ends of the recesses 52. The opposite ends of the vibratory base plate 10 are identically configured so that either end may assume the character of a leading end and the other the trailing end, having regard to a direction of motion of the compactor as it moves over the work.

The guard 81 has a roll-bar configuration completely protecting all working parts and it will be noted in this connection that uppermost portion 86 of the guard achieves an elevated relation to the air cleaner 69. Mounting plate 72 closes the space above the engine, offering protection to the engine components and direct contacting protection to the fuel tank 71 which it mounts. The air cleaner 69 thrusts upwardly of plate 72 and so is positioned high in the compactor unit away from levels of heavy dust concentration.

In a modified form, as shown in FIG. 6, the compactor unit carries a reservoir of water and is equipped to distribute water on the work surface ahead of the advancing unit. As there shown, a compactor unit is constructed like the unit of the first considered embodiment, comprising a vibratory base plate 97, an engine base plate 98, an engine 99, guard 100 and other associated parts, all constructed and operating in substantially the same manner as corresponding parts of the first described embodiment. In the modified form of compactor unit, however, the vibratory base plate 97 is formed with an upturned end 101 which at its upper extremity is formed integrally with or has suitably applied thereto a trough 102. A front side of the trough 102 is open to define a spreader surface therein. Liquid admitted to the trough flows over the front edge thereof and down the outer face of turned up end 101 to trickle to the underlying work surface. A laterally elongated perforate pipe 103 is secured in trough 102 centrally thereof. On the upper surface of engine base plate 98, and offset thereon relatively to the engine 99,

is a water storage tank 104. Straps 105 mount the tank 104 in a saddle 106 which is in turn bolted to the engine base plate. A hose 107 connects the tank 104 to pipe 103 in trough 102. The connection of hose 107 to the tank 104 may include an appropriate fitting 108 incor' porating a valve (not shown) whereby gravity flow of water from the tank to the trough may be initiated and discontinued as required. In the operation of the modified form of compactor unit, and with the described valve in an open position, water flows from tank 104 to pipe 103 and is distributed thereby into trough 102. The water flows over the open edge of trough 102 and trickles down the end face 101 of the compactor plate to the work surface. The addition of water is advantageous in the compacting of certain surfaces and under some conditions, as for example in the compacting and finishing of asphalt to avoid adhesion.

The second illustrated form of the invention utilizes connector device corresponding to devices 41 and 47 of the first considered embodiment. In both instances operation of the compactor generates shear and compression forces, as the vibratory base and engine assemblies move relatively to one another and as the compactor is guided over the work surface. The devices 41 and 47 are uniquely constructed and disposed in angular relation to optimally absorb such forces without deterioration over extended periods of usage. Their solid yet resilient construction, and the absence of vibration transmitting connectors as a part thereof, insures a smooth, trouble-free performance and contributes to the minimizing of fatigue effects.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but some of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor, including a work engaging vibratory base plate turned up at leading and trailing ends and substantially open at its sides, a vibrator housing mounted on the upwardly facing floor surface of said plate, an engine assembly in a superposing supported relation to said vibratory base plate including an engine base plate overlying said housing and having wing-like side marginal portions bent downward to overlap sides of said housing, said marginal portions being in a spaced relation to said housing and in a spaced relation to the floor surface of said vibratory base plate to be protective of said housing and to avoid entrapment of dirt materials on and about said housing, the floor surface of said vibratory base plate and communicating areas being inherently self-cleaning.

2. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 1, characterized by means for mounting said engine base plate in a spaced attached relation to said housing, said mounting means including shock damping resilient spacer devices.

3. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 2, wherein the side marginal portions of said engine base plate dispose at an inclining angle to the floor surface of said vibratory base plate, characterized by projecting anchor means on said housing disposing in a substantially parallel spaced relation to said side marginal portions of said engine base plate, said resilient spacer devices interposing between and interconnecting said side marginal portions and said anchor means.

4. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 1, wherein said housing is secured to the floor surface of said vibratory base plate to define a closed compartment thereon, said housing providing spaced side walls, a shaft having a rotary mounting in said side walls and disposing an eccentrically weighted portion within saidv compartment, an end of said shaft projecting from said housing, and a drive connection extending from said engine assembly downward through said engine base plate to said projecting end of said shaft, the side margins of said engine base plate extending in an overlapping protective relation to said projecting end of said shaft and to the drive connection thereto.

5. An engine driven vibratory compactor according to claim 4, characterized by sealing means preventing the access of dirt materials to said compartment around said shaft and retaining lubricant fluids within the compartment, the compartment containing a bath of liquid lubricant which in response to rotation of the shaft the eccentrically weighted portion therein creates a mist for lubrication purposes.

6. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 1, wherein said engine assembly includes an engine mounted on and upstanding from said engine base plate and a frame also rising from said engine base plate in a substantially surrounding protective relation to said engine, said frame being of a tubular roll-bar construction providing relatively free access to engine assembly components.

7. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 6, characterized by a mounting plate secured to said frame in transverse overlying relation to said engine, and a fuel tank carried by said mounting plate to dispose within the confines of said frame in a substantially suspended relation to said plate and in a substantially overhead relation to said engine.

8. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor ac cording to claim 7, wherein said engine utilizes air in the burning of fuel drawn from said fuel tank, characterized by an air cleaner mounted on said mounting plate in a relatively upwardly projecting relation achieving maximum removal of the air cleaner from areas of high dust concentration.

9. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor, including a vibratory base plate, an engine assembly supported by and in a superposed relation to said vibratory base plate, said engine assembly including an engine base plate and an engine thereon, means defining a sealed exciter compartment on said vibratory base plate beneath said engine base plate, eccentric exciter means in said compartment, and a driving connection from said engine to said exciter means, said engine base plate having wing-like portions overhanging relatively to said compartment to assume a protective relation to said driving connectionand to said compartment while defining an escape route for dirt materials tending to become trapped between said vibratory base plate and said engine base plate.

10. A vibratory plate compactor, including a work engaging vibratory base plate which intermediate its ends is constructed as a substantially flat planar portion supporting the compactor upon a. work surface, opposite ends of said base plate being bent upward in substantially similar manner so that either end may act as the leading end having regard to the direction of motion of the compactor as it travels over the work surface, said ends having inclinations facilitating maneuvering and providing improved climbing surfaces, means forming a substantially sealed vibrator housing on the uppermost surface of said flat planar portion of said base plate extending fore and aft thereof, said sealed housing having a tube-like form with its ends closed by the upwardly bent opposite ends of said vibratory base plate, said housing incorporating vibrating exciting means and having mounting means for supporting an engine base plate in a spaced relation thereto.

11. A compactor as in claim 10, wherein the respective ends of said base plate are formed with outer surfaces which are respectively and similarly inclined at successively greater angles to the substantially flat pla nar portion.

12. A compactor as in claim 11, wherein said vibrator housing bridges said opposite ends of said base plate and the respective sides thereof mount adapters for supporting said engine base plate in spaced relation thereto.

13. A compactor as in claim 12 wherein said adapters include resilient elements angularly related to ac commodate shear and compression forces transmitted therethrough by a supported engine base plate and the structure which mounts thereon.

14. A vibratory plate compactor, including a work engaging vibratory base plate and in overlying spaced relation thereto an engine assembly including an engine base plate, an upwardly facing surface of said vibratory base plate providing a vibratory base plate floor, a housing mounted on said vibratory base plate floor and forming interiorly thereof a substantially sealed exciter compartment, means on said housing supporting said engine base plate in substantially shock isolated relation, exciter means in said compartment and a drive connection therefor external to said housing, and winglike portions on said engine base plate extending toward the floor of said vibratory base plate in overlap ping protective relation to portions of said housing and to said drive connection.

15. A vibratory plate compactor according to claim 14, wherein marginal edges of said vibratory base plate and of said engine base plate cooperate in defining an' open passage therebetween for self-cleaning of said vibratory base plate floor around said housing.

16. A vibratory plate compactor according to claim 15, wherein the means on said housing supporting said engine base plate in substantially shock isolated relation is based on said housing above said vibratory base plate floor in a manner to obviate interruptions in the defined open passage between marginal edges of said vibratory base plate and said engine base plate.

17. A vibratory plate compactor according to claim 14, wherein said vibratory base plate is generally rectangular in configuration, opposite ends being bent upward in substantially similar manner so that either end may act as the leading end having regard to the direction of motion of the compactor over a work surface, said housing being in substantially briding relation to said opposite ends and having elongate sides substantially parallel to the sides of the vibratory base plate, the wing-like portions of said engine base plate flaring outwardly and downwardly to terminate upwardly of said vibratory base plate floor intermediate the sides of said vibratory base plate and the sides of said housing.

18. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor, including a work engaging vibratory base plate, engine driven exciter means thereon, an engine base plate in a superposing relation to said vibratory base plate, means disposing between said base plates supporting said engine base plate in a shock isolated relation to said vibratory base plate, engine components mounted on and upstanding from said engine base plate, and a roll-bar type frame having portions mounted on opposite sides of said engine base plate and joining in an overhead relation thereto to assume a protective relation to engine components while providing free access thereto.

19. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 18, wherein said means supporting said engine base plate includes resilient elements angularly related to and connected between and perpendicular to portions of said engine base plate and means in connection with said vibratory base plate, arranged to accommodate applied shear and compression forces.

20. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 18, characterized by means carried by the said overhead portion of said roll-bar frame providing a mounting for auxiliary engine components within the outlines of said frame.

21. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 18 in which joining overhead portions of said roll-bar frame include a section intersecting the center of gravity of the compactor and providing a point of attachment for a powered lifting of the compactor.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,782,845 Dated Januarv l, 1974 lnv nt fl Euqene C. Briqqs and Lee Reichel It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1, Line 49, "coozncentration is amended to read concentration Col. 8, Line 19, device" is amended to read devices Col. 11, Line 7, "briding" is amended to read bridging Signed and sealed this 7th day ofl lay 197A.

SEAL Attest:

EDWARD M 01m JR c MARSHAL DAMN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor, including a work engaging vibratory base plate turned up at leading and trailing ends and substantially open at its sides, a vibrator housing mounted on the upwardly facing floor surface of said plate, an engine assembly in a superposing supported relation to said vibratory base plate including an engine base plate overlying said housing and having wing-like side marginal portions bent downward to overlap sides of said housing, said marginal portions being in a spaced relation to said housing and in a spaced relation to the floor surface of said vibratory base plate to be protective of said housing and to avoid entrapment of dirt materials on and about said housing, the floor surface of said vibratory base plate and communicating areas being inherently self-cleaning.
 2. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 1, characterized by means for mounting said engine base plate in a spaced attached relation to said housing, said mounting means including shock damping resilient spacer devices.
 3. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 2, wherein the side marginal portions of said engine base plate dispose at an inclining angle to the floor surface of said vibratory base plate, characterized by projecting anchor means on said housing disposing in a substantially parallel spaced relation to said side marginal portions of said engine base plate, said resilient spacer devices interposing between and interconnecting said side marginal portions and said anchor means.
 4. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 1, wherein said housing is secured to the floor surface of said vibratory base plate to define a closed compartment thereon, said housing providing spaced side walls, a shaft having a rotary mounting in said side walls and disposing an eccentrically weighted portion within said compartment, an end of said shaft projecting from said housing, and a drive connection extending from said engine assembly downward through said engine base plate to said projecting end of said shaft, the side margins of said engine base plate extending in an overlapping protective relation to said projecting end of said shaft and to the drive connection thereto.
 5. An engine driven vibratory compactor according to claim 4, characterized by sealing means preventing the access of dirt materials to said compartment around said shaft and retaining lubricant fluids within the compartment, the compartment containing a bath of liquid lubricant which in response to rotation of the shaft the eccentrically weighted portion therein creates a mist for lubrication purposes.
 6. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 1, wherein said engine assembly includes an engine mounted on and upstanding from said engine base plate and a frame also rising from said engine base plate in a substantially surrounding protective relation to said engine, said frame being of a tubular roll-bar construction providing relatively free access to engine assembly components.
 7. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 6, characterized by a mounting plate secured to said frame in transverse overlying relation to said engine, and a fuel tank carried by said mounting plate to dispose within the confines of said frame in a substantially suspended relation to said plate and in a substantially overhead relation to said engine.
 8. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 7, wherein said engine utilIzes air in the burning of fuel drawn from said fuel tank, characterized by an air cleaner mounted on said mounting plate in a relatively upwardly projecting relation achieving maximum removal of the air cleaner from areas of high dust concentration.
 9. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor, including a vibratory base plate, an engine assembly supported by and in a superposed relation to said vibratory base plate, said engine assembly including an engine base plate and an engine thereon, means defining a sealed exciter compartment on said vibratory base plate beneath said engine base plate, eccentric exciter means in said compartment, and a driving connection from said engine to said exciter means, said engine base plate having wing-like portions overhanging relatively to said compartment to assume a protective relation to said driving connection and to said compartment while defining an escape route for dirt materials tending to become trapped between said vibratory base plate and said engine base plate.
 10. A vibratory plate compactor, including a work engaging vibratory base plate which intermediate its ends is constructed as a substantially flat planar portion supporting the compactor upon a work surface, opposite ends of said base plate being bent upward in substantially similar manner so that either end may act as the leading end having regard to the direction of motion of the compactor as it travels over the work surface, said ends having inclinations facilitating maneuvering and providing improved climbing surfaces, means forming a substantially sealed vibrator housing on the uppermost surface of said flat planar portion of said base plate extending fore and aft thereof, said sealed housing having a tube-like form with its ends closed by the upwardly bent opposite ends of said vibratory base plate, said housing incorporating vibrating exciting means and having mounting means for supporting an engine base plate in a spaced relation thereto.
 11. A compactor as in claim 10, wherein the respective ends of said base plate are formed with outer surfaces which are respectively and similarly inclined at successively greater angles to the substantially flat planar portion.
 12. A compactor as in claim 11, wherein said vibrator housing bridges said opposite ends of said base plate and the respective sides thereof mount adapters for supporting said engine base plate in spaced relation thereto.
 13. A compactor as in claim 12, wherein said adapters include resilient elements angularly related to accommodate shear and compression forces transmitted therethrough by a supported engine base plate and the structure which mounts thereon.
 14. A vibratory plate compactor, including a work engaging vibratory base plate and in overlying spaced relation thereto an engine assembly including an engine base plate, an upwardly facing surface of said vibratory base plate providing a vibratory base plate floor, a housing mounted on said vibratory base plate floor and forming interiorly thereof a substantially sealed exciter compartment, means on said housing supporting said engine base plate in substantially shock isolated relation, exciter means in said compartment and a drive connection therefor external to said housing, and wing-like portions on said engine base plate extending toward the floor of said vibratory base plate in overlapping protective relation to portions of said housing and to said drive connection.
 15. A vibratory plate compactor according to claim 14, wherein marginal edges of said vibratory base plate and of said engine base plate cooperate in defining an open passage therebetween for self-cleaning of said vibratory base plate floor around said housing.
 16. A vibratory plate compactor according to claim 15, wherein the means on said housing supporting said engine base plate in substantially shock isolated relation is based on said housing above said vibratory base plate floor in a manner to obviate interruptions in the defined open passage between Marginal edges of said vibratory base plate and said engine base plate.
 17. A vibratory plate compactor according to claim 14, wherein said vibratory base plate is generally rectangular in configuration, opposite ends being bent upward in substantially similar manner so that either end may act as the leading end having regard to the direction of motion of the compactor over a work surface, said housing being in substantially bridging relation to said opposite ends and having elongate sides substantially parallel to the sides of the vibratory base plate, the wing-like portions of said engine base plate flaring outwardly and downwardly to terminate upwardly of said vibratory base plate floor intermediate the sides of said vibratory base plate and the sides of said housing.
 18. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor, including a work engaging vibratory base plate, engine driven exciter means thereon, an engine base plate in a superposing relation to said vibratory base plate, means disposing between said base plates supporting said engine base plate in a shock isolated relation to said vibratory base plate, engine components mounted on and upstanding from said engine base plate, and a roll-bar type frame having portions mounted on opposite sides of said engine base plate and joining in an overhead relation thereto to assume a protective relation to engine components while providing free access thereto.
 19. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 18, wherein said means supporting said engine base plate includes resilient elements angularly related to and connected between and perpendicular to portions of said engine base plate and means in connection with said vibratory base plate, arranged to accommodate applied shear and compression forces.
 20. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 18, characterized by means carried by the said overhead portion of said roll-bar frame providing a mounting for auxiliary engine components within the outlines of said frame.
 21. An engine driven vibratory plate compactor according to claim 18 in which joining overhead portions of said roll-bar frame include a section intersecting the center of gravity of the compactor and providing a point of attachment for a powered lifting of the compactor. 